Looking after your teeth over Christmas

Christmas is a few weeks of eating and drinking things you would not normally eat and drink, at times you would not normally eat and drink them. None of that is a problem in itself. It is worth knowing which parts are hardest on your teeth, so that you can stop thinking about the rest.

Drinks

Most people in the UK drink more over Christmas than they usually do.

Red and mulled wine stain. Red wine contains pigments that give it its colour, and compounds called tannins that help those pigments stick to the tooth surface. Mulled wine adds two more problems: the citrus makes it more acidic, and it is usually sweetened. Acid softens enamel for a while, and sugar feeds the bacteria that cause decay.

Sparkling wine is acidic and contains sugar too.

A glass of water alongside, or a rinse with water afterwards, does most of the work. What matters more is not brushing straight after something acidic. Give it half an hour.

Food

Chocolate is everywhere in December, in tins, selection boxes and advent calendars. The issue is less the total amount than the frequency. A handful of chocolates eaten in one go is easier on your teeth than the same handful spread across a whole afternoon, because every time you eat, acidity in the mouth rises again and then takes time to recover.

Sticky and starchy finger food, crisps, pastry and cheese twists, tends to pack into the gaps between the teeth and stay there. Interdental brushes or floss at the end of the day deal with it.

Nuts and cheese are easier options. Cheese is worth a mention in particular because it is usually eaten at the end of a meal, and it helps the mouth return towards a neutral pH.

The routine is the thing

Two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, spitting rather than rinsing, and cleaning between the teeth once a day. Christmas is exactly when that slips, because bedtimes move and everything goes out of the window for a fortnight. It is the one habit worth protecting, and it is what lets you stop worrying about the last chocolate in the tin.

Booking in

If you are overdue a check-up or a hygiene appointment, January is a sensible time to book one. You can book online or call 0161 969 7464, and our fees are on the fees page.